Quick question.... Honey.

[Slidesdownmountains]

Just wondering whilst am stuck at work miles away from my copy of DANDR (and I know Georgiana will be able to help me with an answer to this one)...
My colleagues and I just got talking about coffees here (am enjoying an iced americano as we speak!) and I remember I had a really nice one in Budapest months ago, back when I was off-plan, which contained cream, honey and cinnamon...

So, my question is:
When, if ever, is honey permitted (am talking about maybe a tablespoon)?

I don't feel like I need to sweeten things right now, but that coffee was really, really nice so was just wondering...!

[Emre Yigit]

I'd say nein, nein, nein.

I tbsp of generic honey contains about 16-18 carbs. OK, I personally think it's better than popping a few cubes of sugar in your mouth, but nonetheless, wouldn't you rather eat a pint of strawberries? Because that's got about the same amount of carbs! If you like things really sweet, sprinkle the strawberries sparingly with stevia or something. Add cream, and you've got a sinful dessert. All in the appropriate OWL phase of course....

[JulieB]

Honey is basically sugar...don't hold your breath

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

It's very unfortunate but things such as Honey, Agave Necter and other sweeteners such as that are considered "natural" but not actual "table sugar" - isn't allowed.

There's a TON of "low-carb" dessert recipes I find that state to add honey and it makes me mad because honey or agave necter still raises your insulin (which is the point of not eating sugar) - and it's really all about keeping your blood sugar in check and not raising your insulin in your body (which, once insulin is raised, the metabolic process is then for fat cells to take in the glucose from the blood, and if there's too much in the bloodstream, that's when fat cells hang on to the glucose and that's how one gets fat...in a nutshell).

So it's best to stay away from those things.

That's why - for people "metabolically resistant" or "insulin resistant" their body has too much insulin at all times and to just add more on top of it?! Yeah it sucks.
I wish I could use honey but it's just not an option. (at least for me)...

Have you tried the Da Vinci Sugar Free Syrups? I get mine from walmart (coffee aisle) or sam's club...but there's TONS of different flavors out there (the exotic flavors i've only found online). But - while I cut back my coffee consumption to almost non-existant...one treat I allow myself once in a blue moon is a cup of black coffee with a tbsp or two (depending on mug size of coffee) of Da Vinci sugar free syrup (usually use vanilla, caramel, or kaluah) and a tbsp or two of real cream - and add some cinnamon...OMG it's freakin' FABULOUS!!!!!!
This is also REALLY awesome with flavored teas...I have a chocolate raspberry tea and a black tea at home that I love using as well.

if you can't find them near you - netrition.com sells em.

[Slidesdownmountains]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys - it was really just for this particular type of coffee. I don't feel the need for sweet things particularly so won't miss it there (though I thought it was a bit better for blood sugar level than sugar - who knew)
I don't want to really start down the road of aspartame or sucralose-containing products - I find that they either bloat me/make me crave sugar/make me stall so I think I'll stick to naturally occuring foods until later on down the rungs!!!

[ldyj]

Well, there is of course, SF Honey. It's made from sugar alcohols flavored to taste like honey. It's not the real thing, but it might work!